The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1887-05-08
THE PLACE OF THE SKULL
A Travellers Visit to New tsuinea's Go
gotha-A HideOus Heathen Temple

A Travellers Visit to New G.uinea's Col
gotha-A HideOus Heather Temple.
The temple. for a native building. was
really good. In front was the large plat
form, and Immediately under the great
high peak in front was n large veranda,
on which the men sat, sheltered from the
sun and rain. Rising from the veranda
Were three large posts. supporting the
peak, about eighty feet high. Standing
just inside these posts he looked down an
aisle nearly 200 feet in length. All
down either side was hung with what
seemed like splendid silk curtains. and
these were made from the young frond
of the saSo palm split UP when quite
nev.
The flooring ON the aisle, two feet
broad, appeared to be a dark stained,
highly polished wool and carved with
figures of men. croco,liles and casso-
varies; this was made from the skin of
the sage palm, and received its high
polish from the blood of victims dragged
along to- the end where the most sacred
place was, and the constant tread of
numerous feet. Inside the whole place
was divided into compartments, i'll each
of which were fires, where the owners
spent much time in eating and sleeping.
In large open space near the sacred
place We're pins To- hang skulls on. These
during their visit were down being
cleaned and dressed; and having "A COM
partment close by, he lad "A good oppor-
tunity of seeing thcrn-in fact, some
being too new, he found IA difficulty
getting through his light dinner. The
skulls were all carved. and done over
with many colors. \ feast would soon
be on, and tire heaps of skulls would dis
appear, because all would find their
places ON the skullery pins. The head
gear once belonged to inland natives,
who were killed, Lfoulht into the dubu-
presented to the gods. then cooked and
eaten.
The length of the temple was nearly
200 feet. The floor was quite level, but
the roof tapered from the high peak I'M
til at the farther end it was not more than
nine feet high. At that end there was
an inclOsure which no native went near.
and he was anxious to know what was
inside. He was told not to go near, as it
was very sacred and death would be the
fate of any who attempted to enter. ex-
cept those whose duty it was. His in
terpreter and his friend would not come
near and he begged the chief To allow him
to enter. He kept some distance off and
begged him to remain outside.
His interpreter, seeing his great desire
to enter. told them he (Mr. Chalmers)
was queer fellow, went everywhere,
saw everything and no harm came to
him, and perhaps it would be SO now.
He was allowed ON that to enter. but no
one would accompany him. When his
eyes became accustomed to the darkness
he saw six wicker made gods with mouths
like frogs. enormously large and open,
the body of a dugong, measuring about
feet in length and feet high Alto
gether they were hideous looking things.
He put his hand into the mouth of one.
and was somewhat startled when out
flew dozens of small bats, which dis
turbed those in the other images, and
soon the whole place was full Outside
they were in great CONSERVATION and
begged him To retreat, as he would GER
tainly die. He told them he was all
right, and when he had seen a little more
he should return to them.
The following morning he again entered
with one of the sorcerors whose duty it
was To attend therein His interpreter
was just outside. coming nearer than the
day before and the old man who accom-
panied him told him that they. the i'm
ages, were very sacred and called Kaniba-
BEFORE going 10 HSht uiey were con-
suited. and also in sickness, death or
trouble. Bodies of the stays, pigs, arm
shells, and other valuables were presented
to them. Bodies of the slain were
dragged down the long aisle and placed
Just outside near to the partition. where
they were left for some time, then
dragged to the outside and disposed of.
The idols were greatly feared and no one
even spoke disrespectfully Of tnem-Ex-
piorer in London Times